Artisan Cheese Villages in Extremadura

60 villages · 127 - 96,651 inhabitants · Nature 67/100

Artisan Cheese Villages in Extremadura: key facts

  • 60 villages total
  • Cáceres (96,651 inh.)
  • Mérida (60,225 inh.)
  • Plasencia (40,132 inh.)
  • Altitude range: 217 – 1,124 m

Extremadura, a region of western Spain bordering Portugal, boasts a rich tradition of artisan cheese production. Scattered throughout its diverse landscapes are approximately 60 municipalities where cheesemaking remains a vital part of the local economy and cultural identity. These villages, with an average population of 5004, are located at altitudes ranging from 217 to 1124 metres, reflecting the varied terrain of Extremadura, from the plains to the mountainous regions. The town of Trujillo, with a population of 8611 and an altitude of 564m, is known for its Plaza Mayor and its connection to the conquistador Pizarro. Cáceres, a larger municipality with 96651 inhabitants situated at 459m, offers a glimpse into medieval Spain. These villages offer a unique insight into rural life and the enduring legacy of traditional crafts, with cheese at the forefront.

60 villages to explore

Cáceres

Llanos de Cáceres · 96,651 hab.

Mérida

Tierra de Mérida - Vegas Bajas · 60,225 hab.

Plasencia

Valle del Jerte · 40,132 hab.

Coria

Vegas del Alagón · 12,001 hab.

Trujillo

Trujillo · 8,611 hab.

Azuaga

Campiña Sur · 7,587 hab.

Arroyo de la Luz

Tajo-Salor · 5,495 hab.

Castuera

La Serena · 5,457 hab.

Fuente de Cantos

Tentudía · 4,583 hab.

Casar de Cáceres

Tajo-Salor · 4,511 hab.

Quintana de la Serena

La Serena · 4,429 hab.

Valverde de Leganés

Llanos de Olivenza · 4,230 hab.

Santa Marta

Tierra de Barros · 4,201 hab.

Jarandilla de la Vera

La Vera · 2,894 hab.

Zahínos

Sierra Suroeste · 2,766 hab.

Madroñera

Trujillo · 2,349 hab.

La Codosera

Tierra de Badajoz · 2,025 hab.

Logrosán

Villuercas-Ibores-Jara · 1,852 hab.

Zarza de Granadilla

Trasierra - Tierras de Granadilla · 1,815 hab.

Puebla de Obando

Tierra de Mérida - Vegas Bajas · 1,809 hab.

Guadalupe

Villuercas-Ibores-Jara · 1,722 hab.

Brozas

Tajo-Salor · 1,718 hab.

La Roca de la Sierra

Tierra de Mérida - Vegas Bajas · 1,435 hab.

Montemolín

Tentudía · 1,231 hab.

Zorita

Trujillo · 1,223 hab.

Valle de la Serena

La Serena · 1,075 hab.

Valdefuentes

Sierra de Montánchez · 1,074 hab.

Valdecaballeros

La Siberia · 1,036 hab.

Casar de Palomero

Las Hurdes · 991 hab.

Alagón del Río

Vegas del Alagón · 919 hab.

La Nava de Santiago

Tierra de Mérida - Vegas Bajas · 911 hab.

Cuacos de Yuste

La Vera · 809 hab.

Acehúche

Rivera de Fresnedosa · 808 hab.

Peñalsordo

La Serena · 805 hab.

Llera

Campiña Sur · 781 hab.

Tejeda de Tiétar

La Vera · 761 hab.

Santibáñez el Bajo

Trasierra - Tierras de Granadilla · 711 hab.

Valencia del Mombuey

Sierra Suroeste · 703 hab.

Zarza de Montánchez

Sierra de Montánchez · 504 hab.

Magacela

La Serena · 502 hab.

Torre de Don Miguel

Sierra de Gata · 481 hab.

Villasbuenas de Gata

Sierra de Gata · 481 hab.

Hinojosa del Valle

Tierra de Barros · 472 hab.

Peraleda del Zaucejo

Campiña Sur · 465 hab.

Santiago de Alcántara

Tajo-Salor · 454 hab.

Cedillo

Tajo-Salor · 453 hab.

Pozuelo de Zarzón

Sierra de Gata · 430 hab.

Retamal de Llerena

Campiña Sur · 428 hab.

About this region

The artisan cheese villages of Extremadura are dispersed across various 'comarcas', each with its own distinct character and culinary specialities. In the Llanos de Cáceres, the municipality of Cáceres (population 96651, altitude 459m) offers not only the visual spectacle of the sunset from the Torre de Bujaco overlooking the medieval city, but also the opportunity to sample Torta del Casar paired with Pitarra wine in a tavern on the Plaza Mayor. Moving south to the Tierra de Mérida - Vegas Bajas, Mérida (population 60225, altitude 217m) provides a different experience, with the Roman Theatre bathed in golden light at dusk, and local fare such as 'caldereta de cordero' (lamb stew) and 'migas extremeñas' (fried breadcrumbs) available near the Templo de Diana. Further north, in the Valle del Jerte, Plasencia (population 40132, altitude 352m) showcases its unique intertwined Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals, alongside regional dishes like 'zorongollo extremeño' (pepper salad) and Retinto beef. Coria, situated in the Vegas del Alagón (population 12001, altitude 280m), invites visitors to walk along its well-preserved Roman walls at sunset, followed by sampling 'chanfaina coriana' (lamb stew) and Iberian cured meats. Finally, Trujillo (population 8611, altitude 564m), within its own 'comarca', offers the experience of its Plaza Mayor at dusk, with the statues of Pizarro and the Palacio de la Conquista illuminated, and the chance to taste Torta del Casar and artisan cheeses, particularly during the annual Cheese Fair, alongside 'migas extremeñas' and 'caldereta de cordero'.